Leonore Gewessler

WIFO Director Badelt Sees Climate Issue as "Biggest Problem for Austrian Economy"

The Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO) director Christoph Badelt emphasizes the need for public discussion of the current climate crisis and demands a "comprehensive transformation process" driven by Austria's Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler in order to battle the ongoing climate change.

February 26, 2021

Austria Continues to Invest In Bicycle Transportation

Austria's Ministry of Climate Protection continues to support the purchase of e-bicycles and transport bikes. Enterprises, associations and individuals will benefit from the increased subsidy amount and a reduction of value-added tax for bicycle repair services.

February 26, 2021

ÖBB Is Internationally Recognized for Sustainability

The international rating agency ISS has awarded ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG the first place out of 55 international transport companies for its commitment to sustainability, climate protection and eco-efficiency. Austria's Climate Protection Minister Gewessler is delighted about the international recognition for ÖBB and emphasizes that climate protection is the right path for the future.

February 19, 2021

Vienna - Salzburg: Frequent Intervals Will Be Maintained

The important rail connection between Vienna and Salzburg will keep having regular intervals due to an emergency award by the Austrian Ministry of Climate Protection. The ministry will continue to order trains from the Austrian Railways (ÖBB) and Westbahn in order to assure a frequent rail connection until April 7.

February 15, 2021

European Year of Rail: Inauguration of EU Locomotive in Vienna

The European Year of Rail wants to highlight the advantages of rail as as safe and sustainable means of transportation. For this occasion, a specially branded EU locomotive was inaugurated at the Vienna Central Station by Austria's Climate Protection Minister Gewessler, representative of the European Commission in Austria Selmayr, and Austrian Railways CEO Matthä.

February 11, 2021

European Battery Initiative Launches With Austrian Participation

The European Commission has approved a EUR 11.9 billion large-scale battery project. Austria will play a decisive role in this initiative having involved six companies. The aim of the project is to create a competitive, innovative and sustainable value chain for batteries and thus working towards achieving the European Green Deal.

January 28, 2021

Construction Works for Vienna's New Metro Line Have Begun

The construction works for Vienna's public transport extension has begun. The U2xU5 project, which will result in a whole new metro, the U5, and an extension of the current U2 line is set to be completed by 2026 and 2028, respectively. Austria's Federal Ministers for Finance and Climate Protection as well as Vienna's City Councillor for Public Transport took part in the groundbreaking ceremony.

January 28, 2021

Austria Joins International Renewable Energy Agency

Since January 1, 2021, Austria is member of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). During the Agency's General Assembly, Austria's Climate Protection Minister demands a transformation of the world's energy system towards 100 percent renewables and is pleased that Austria will make a contribution to this change.

January 26, 2021

New US Presidency: Austria and EU Welcome New Chapter

Joe Biden, as new President of the United States, and Kamala Harris, as new Vice President, were inaugurated on January 20, 2021. The reactions from politicians throughout the European Union and Austria to the inauguration and the President's first acts were filled with hope and positivity.

January 22, 2021

ECJ Bans Exhaust Software: Anschober and Gewessler Demand Changes

The European Court of Justice has decided to ban software used to embellish exhaust emission values in diesel cars. Austria's Climate Protection Minister Gewessler and Consumer Protection Minister Anschober hope for a move by the car manufacturers in order to provide retrofits and compensate injured consumers.

December 17, 2020

Re-Invent the EU: Austria Discusses the European Union

The future of the European Union is at stake. Austrian politicians and EU experts discuss the future of the Union in Austria in order to "make Europe a little bit better every day". A series of debates, conferences and other events are initiated to make sure that Austria stays in the right track when it comes to its contribution to the European Union.

December 15, 2020

Share of E-Cars in New Registrations Exceeds 10 Percent

For the first time ever, electronic cars made up more than 10 percent of the new registrations of motor vehicles. Although the numbers of new registered vehicles is far lower compared to last year, the e-mobility sector has seen an obvious increase in numbers over the recent months.

December 11, 2020

New European Climate Target: Kurz and Gewessler Delilghted

The European Council has agreed on a new climate target for 2030. The member states want to decrease annual greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 percent and also take other steps on their path to climate neutrality until 2050. Austria's Chancellor Kurz and Minister Gewessler are pleased with the agreement.

December 11, 2020

Rail Traffic Between Vienna and Salzburg Can Be Maintained

Similar to measures taken in the spring of this year, the Ministry for Climate Protection has set up an emergency contract with the ÖBB and WESTbahn to safeguard rail transport between Vienna and Salzburg. The mutual acceptance of tickets from WESTbahn and ÖBB will also be established again.

November 13, 2020

Austrian Railways: EUR 17.5 Billion of Investment Until 2026

The railway system in Austria will see impactful investments in the near future. Due to a package of around EUR 17.5 billion until 2026, the Federal Government together with Austrian Railways (ÖBB) will try to make travelling and transporting by rail even more attractive to customers.

October 20, 2020

Austrian World Summit 2020 Was a Success

The Austrian World Summit 2020 was held in a mixture of analog and digital setting due to Covid-19, yet starred international personalities that all highlighted the importance of sustainability and the fight against climate change.

September 17, 2020

Climate Protection Minister Presents Measures Against Plastic Flood

Climate Protection Minister Gewessler announces a three-point plan to tackle Austria's plastic waste. These measures include a deposit system, a producer's levy and a reusable quota.

September 7, 2020

Austrian Airlines Deal: EUR 450 Million for Vienna Hub Guarantee

The Lufthansa subsidiary will receive EUR 450 million from the Republic of Austria, EUR 300 million of which as a loan guarantee and EUR 150 million as equity.

June 9, 2020

US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross in Vienna

The 82-year-old United States Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, who has been in office since February 28, 2017 and was nominated by Donald Trump, visited Vienna and met, among others, US Ambassador Trevor Traina, WKO President Mahrer, Finance Minister Blümel, Environment Minister Gewessler and Economics Minister Schramböck.

February 11, 2020

More Women than Men - Who Forms the New Austrian Government?

Austrian President Van der Bellen has praised the new Federal Government in the Presidency Chancellery. In addition to Federal Chancellor Kurz and Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler, the cabinet consists of 13 ministers and one state secretary. Among the 17 government members are 9 women and 8 men. Find out below who the new government members are.

January 7, 2020